Farnham town centre improvement works

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Project update - November 2024

Work is continuing at pace to get everything ready for the Farnham town centre improvements.

Surrey County Council, which is delivering the improvements for the Farnham Infrastructure Programme, is currently expecting to start in early 2025, but will give a firm date as soon as possible.

The council expects to release an overview phasing plan before Christmas. There will be a minimum of one month's notice before each phase begins, which will be on the works website and publicised through an e-newsletter.

The first phases will likely prioritise the changes needed to keep the town moving during the works. This is expected to be the right turn out of Castle Street, and two-way traffic at the bottom of Downing Street to the Waggon Yard car park. Any road closures needed for these phases should be overnight.

Works with greater impact are not expected until the late spring when there may be a diversion route in place, with no road closures until the summer.

There can be no planned work by utility companies or developers in the town centre during the works – unless it has been carefully co-ordinated with the county council, and any opportunities for collaborative working and minimising additional disruptions have been explored. The impact of any emergency works will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What's planned?

There will be roadworks in the town centre from early 2025 until late 2026.

  • Roads and pavements are being resurfaced and upgraded
  • Wider pavements - wherever possible - will give more space for shoppers, planting and seating, as well as loading bays
  • Drivers will be able to turn right at the bottom of Castle Street
  • There will be two-way traffic at the bottom of Downing Street so drivers can travel both ways to the Waggon Yard car park
  • Controlled crossings and raised tables will make it safer to cross roads

You can see a map of the proposed changes: Farnham town centre improvements draft illustrative plan November 2024 (PDF).

If you have any questions, please send us an email.

Travelling around Farnham during the works

Background

The town centre is the historic heart of Farnham. It has a dynamic economy with high quality retail, food and drink venues, and a unique heritage with the castle, conservation area, deer park and craft town status.

However, its road layout is outdated and congested. The dominance of roads and vehicles negatively impacts the ability to travel easily, safely, and enjoyably around the town centre on foot and by bus or cycle, resulting in a less pleasant environment and a diminished sense of place.

The works in Farnham aim to:

  • improve the quality of public areas
  • reduce the dominance of motorised traffic, which contributes to poor air quality, noise pollution and congestion, by major changes to the town centre layout

There was a public consultation on two proposals to update the town centre road layout in summer 2022. This was discussed at the Farnham Board in December 2022 Farnham Board - visit the meeting page.

Updated options for the town centre were presented to the Farnham Board in March 2023. You can watch previous meetings on the Farnham Town Council YouTube page. There was also a consultation in late 2023 under the Waverley parking review.

Files available to download

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